Envelope fastener machine



April 23, 1940.

A. NOVICK ENVELPE F-ASTENER MACHINE Filed July 7, 19257 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 23, 1940. A, NQV|CK 2,197,828

ENvELoPE FASTENER MACHINE Filed July 7, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.

1 N VENT OR. Abraham Nov/CK.

BYl @mw/PLM ATTORNEYS.

April 23, 1940. l A, NOVlCK 2,197,828

ENVELOPE FASTENER MACHINE Filed July 7, l937- 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 [Q /0x\ INVENTOR.' SE j 3 LJ Abm/1am Novio/f. BY M v M .Q- 1 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 23, 19.40K4

' UNITED STATES PATENT o-FFlCE t l y 2,197,828 y r r f r ENVELOPE -FASTENER MACHINE l Abraham Novick, Flushing, N. yY., assignor to F.' L. Smithe All'lachine Co.,` inc., New York,

N. Y., a. corporation-of New York y Application July 7, 1937, Serial N0.l 152,295

f2.0 Claims.

This invention relates `to a machine for apply- .ing to the Wallsof 'envelopes attachments of various sorts, such as clasp fasteners of the type illustrated in Letters Patent No. 1,827,901, issued to me on "October "20, 1931, these fasteners vbeing each formed out-of a single piece of sheet metal of approximately cruciform'shape, Acomprising elonplane of the envelope toward each other, they.

`may be passed through a -hole in the cover-flap and thenbent back over the margins at opposite sides of the hole to retain the cover-ap-inclosed position. y T

The present invention constitutes an improvement upon this type of machine, and may be embodied in various machines of the typeas for example. such a machine as that 'disclosed and 142,393,A parts 'of which are f-hereinafter illustrated in somewhat schematic form to aid in the understanding ofthe present invention.

An object of this invention is to provide ya ma- 'lao chine. for applying -a fastener ofthe above type to each of a multiplicity of envelopes which are supplied from astack fof such envelopes having their cover-flaps kinitially foldedy over `and. thus closed, this being kan advantageous condition in which to stack the envelopes, .by reason primarily of the evenness With'which they maybe disposed during transportation, storagefand in the stack.

A further object of the invention, is to provide a machine with means for openingeach coverap in preparation for application of the fastener tothe envelope body; and also in preparation for the attachment thereto of a patch, and `for flap after completion of the attachment -operato tions, which mechanism may be added When 'it is i desired. toA deliver the envelopes in closed condi-` tion.- W 'f f Other objectsand advantages of the invention .forming the subjectof vth'e present application' will appear as the vdescription of the particular claimed in my copending applicationserial No. i

physical embodiment ofv the invention selected for illustration and description progresses.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference have been applied to corresponding parts` throughout the several views which make l5 up the drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a view of a schematic character, in vertical sectional elevation, of a fastener-applying machine in the'constru'ction 'of which the` present invention has been embodied; 10

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a, completed envelope with a fastener applied theretoby the machine herein disclosed; and provided with va patch-reinforoed perforation in the cover-flap;

Fig. 3 is a view, of a schematic character, 15

showingin plan certain of the operating parts illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a schematicview in plan, complemental to Fig. 3, and yin which is shown 'a run `of mechanism for reclosing the cover-flaps. i

In a noW preferred embodiment ofthe invention selectedv for illustration and description, referring rst to Fig.' 1,` the .parts designated by the reference characters B and B are the 'belts of an endless conveyor, around which the means 25 for performing the operations which characterize the present inventionare organized. This belt conveyor runs upon pulleys lllv and 42, the latter of which is driven by a countershaft 43 actuated by the main driving-shaft I through bevel gears lll-45 (see Fig. 4). 1

At the left of Fig. lis shown a meansfor supplying to the conveyor a series of envelopes E, E, etc., derived successively from a'v` stack S thereof, supported suitably as by plates Il, and from the .535 bottom of which .stack each envelope which at any time constitutes the lowermost or innermost component of the stack, is transferredv from the stack to the conveyor belts Bf, B preferablyby the improved transfer'mechanism 'illustrated in Fig. 1. i

In the instance illustrated, two rotary elements R and R spaced .apart o'n the shaft y3l), (see Fig. 3) are each provided with a gripper mem. ber G v.(see. Fig. 1) eachv of Which.. is mounted '45 pivotally in the periphery of` its rotor, upon which it can be oscillated, asby means of a cam C, shown inmy above mentioned application, to grip the free or leading end I2 of the then loWermost blank, when the latter is separated from the 50 stack. This separation, and the details of .devices by which it may beconveniently'effected, are also illustrated fully anddescribed at length, in my aforesaid copending application, and a brief summary of the mechanism will now suice.

f Such separation is effected by a sucker S mounted upon a bail 20 which is swung about an axis 2I on a suitable support not shown herein.

It will be .readily understood by those skilled in the art that when the rotors R and R" are rotated, and when the grippers G have been engaged with the leading edge I 2 of the envelope separated by the sucker S and moved toward the rotors, the grippers draw each envelope E around the periphery of the rotors, and the bottom, closed leading end I2 of the envelope will be entrained in due time between therotors R' and R" and the conveyor belts B, and B" Whereupon the suction will be cut olf in known fashion by suitable means (not shown).

Upon movement of theconveyor belts in the direction of the arrow (Fig. l) they advance the envelope just received from the rotors until the leading end I2 is arrested, as by a pair of stops 53 and 5t, which are moved upward into the path of the advancing envelope by suitable means, illustrated` as a block 55, which is operated by mechanism to be described.

Before description of the attachment operations which are to be effected upon the envelope, the operation of opening the cover-flap will first be described, `'since it is of the essence of the present inventionto accomplish such opening, the envelopes being stacked with their cover.- ilaps initially closed as already noted.

It is not essential, however, that the opening operation shall be effected in the preferred manner now disclosed, which is merely illustrative, possessing certain advantages which will be made to appear, and for that reason constituting the best method for the purpose now known to applicant.

Referring to Fig. l, it will be seen that the natural resiliency of the foremost cover-flap Ill is usually 'suilicient to cause a degree of protrusion thereof from the body of the envelope which aids in its complete opening, for example by the use ofy an interference v.member such as that shown at I 6, and the upper edge I of which is suitably positioned to be engaged with the free edge of the ap as soon as the envelope begins to descend, drawn downwardby the rotors R', R" as already described.

When so stripped 'backwardly, no further opening means is required, but in the event that the cover-flap happens not to project sufficiently far to insure such entry of the interference member, another and auxiliary means may be provided to effect a positive outward draft upon the free forward edge of the cover-flap I0, to position it for engagement therebeneath by the interference member. y

Any suitable means may be utilized for that purpose, and as one vsuitable and convenient form of .stripper means, -use'may be made, as illusf trated, of another sucker device Sr, which `will preferably be disposed'at approximately the region illustrated in Fig.' 1, where it ,is shown as adapted to swing to and fro, into and out of engagement with the leading margin of the cover-flap I0. Suctionl may be cut off'from it after a very slight outward pull, as it is only necessary tov assure the requisite projection of the free edge of the flap I0 beyond the upper edge of the interference inembr I 6.76;

Reverting now to the further travel of the envelope, and the operations which are to be lperformed thereupon while the cover-flap is in its opened condition, the present disclosure contem-` plates, the performance of Aa patch-applying operation and a patch-perforating operation at a suitable station, as at A", (see Fig. 1) `and concurrently the performance of a fastener-applying operation, as at the station designated generally by the reference character A. Nov description of these operations in detail need be made herein, inasmuchas they are merely villustrative of a variety of such attachment or other operations,

and a full description of the preferredlform of mechanism by which they may be" effected is to be found in my co-pending application Serial No. 142,393, to which `reference has already been .made

It will therefore be sufcient to say that the envelope is rst fed beneath the anvil V up to the is i point of its arrest by the fingers 53, 5i, as in Fig.

3, which have been raised into the path of the 58, exerts a bias normallytending ,to raise thev fingers to the dotted line position in the path of l the envelope;

lFasteners are supplied to the fastener-applying i station A through a chute C, as described in my above mentioned copending application, Serial No. 142,393, and are clinched in the usual, or any suitable manner. Patch strip Sf is fed in the manner described in said application and is moistened at I3Ix; being then fed by rolls I3! and |32 through a trough |55 to the station A;

is there severed suitably andis pressed down upon the flap I0, and perforatedwiththe flap, all as described inv said application, or in any suitable manner, after the anvil vV has been advanced from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, to aposition in which it is aligned with the plunger A, and in which it clears the patch applying plunger I 28and enters the open end of the envelope.

Suitablemeans are provided, as at `t2, *(seef Fig. 3) to cause adequate opening ,of the walls of the envelope to receive the anviL. thev finger 82` being raised momentarily to bucklethe walls and then being retracted positively by. the action of a lever 86 rocked for that purpose C" upon the driving shaft I.

The advance and retraction of the anvil V are by the cam accomplished throughthe arm V by a carriage 20B, slidingl in ways 20|, and pushed forward by a link H12 spring-biased to its `forward position, the retraction of the anvil being performed positively by the action of a cam C3 fixed upon the countershaft 3, and engaged with a follower rIllI rlzried by apitman IM connected to the link This mechanism is all fully described in my aforesaid (so-pending application.

In pursuance of another object of the invention, which is to provide a mechanism which may be added to the above machine, and-by which the cover-flap of each envelope may be closed, after the fastener-applying and patch-applying operations, when it is desired vto deliver the envelopes in closed condition., the envelopes are f again advanced. This is done as soonv as each is released from arrest by retraction of thelni-` gers 54 and. 53 from the path of feed, the erivelopes being then free'to have'their advance lresumed 4by the belts B'. and:B.,whichqareiar.-'

ranged', rin. the instance illustrated, to deliverv the envelopes seriatim to a suitable flap-closing run of mechanism.'4 ,l

vThis mechanism, designated generallyby the 4reference character Maz, is shown. in Fig. 4, the f left-hand side of this gure conforming with the right-hand side of lFig..3 ofthe drawings, and the actuation ofk the mechanism thereiny shown beingaccomplished bymeans of a countershaft 43:1: driven through bevel :gears-by thel shaft 43.- which drives the belts Bf and B. I

- Theja'shaft- 43m, in drives apair 'of sprocketsln from-which chains B3 stretch to rollers 421:" on. an idler shaft 400:,these chains I of ;-the chains B3.

runningr pasta transferk :station designated" generally bythe. reference 'character T2, where the envelopes are'delivered individually transversely Correct alignment `is provided for byan abut- '.ment M, alongwhich the leading end |12 vof each 'envelope isv carried in turn as the envelopes', with their cover-flaps still open, are `moved from'f'the transfer station, at right angles to their original path. Preferably the chains B3 are provided with studs 44a' to insure maintenance of the envelopes :incorrect alignment andtheir positive travel to l 'the end of the run Ma", where they `may conveniently-be'accurnulated in a stack SE.

The loperation of closing theflaps may be ac-l complished during-'this run, and by any suitable in `known fashion, as'indicated at 10min Figf.

Rollers R orother suitable device'smayv be emyployedto hold the envelopes,while in transit,

In orderv to' aidin completing the transfer ofI each envelope-from Ithe run dened by vbelts B', B in Fig. 4, to the run defined by belts B3 provision is preferably made of suitablemeans which may desirably take the form of afriction roller as |54, in position to be engaged with-the lowery broadside face of each envelope as lthey pass suc- "rection. y 1 'l l l disclosure the various steps 'involvedin the operation of attachingclasp-fasstood.

cessively over theopening l55 formedi'n an elon- 'gated plate |56 disposed between y'thebelts B3.

` The roll yissuitab-ly drivengas by va vcounter beimsl, running betweenp'uneys lsu and |52 respectively and exerts abias tendingto advance` each envelope intoV contact with the abutment M.

A spherical, self-weighted pressure member .-I 51 may desirably be provided,*`in a centrall positionr overr the intersection between the" .axes of the runs of mechanism, to aid in maintaining contact betweenthe envelope and the underlying roll \l54`.-A A'suitablesocket (not shown) may be provided to 4holdthe sphere loosely, so. that "it may roll 'freely on the upper `race of each envelopeas they approach` the intersection in onel direction, and depart therefrom at right angles to that di'-V From theforegoing teners andprotective patches to envelopesfiny a machine to which -the'envelopes'are suppliedr in y initially closed ncondition will be readily under- '-z'rne'operatig ized as follows:

From-a' supply of the envelopes in astack' S,

Withtheir flaps'closed, the' envelopes are with- :drawn `individually, lengthwise, with their sealed e ent is set forth in the said cover-flap yis open. 7

cover-flap flap. A machin-e forapplying attachnjlentssuch of the machine maybe summar-"l vsucked 'out by the sucker S` proachtherotors R', R. f

The grippers G then seizethe edgefl2,` and and caused to apf drawthe lenvelope forward lengthwise, and during this initiation of the travel bythe envelope -bottom edges yl2 leading, these edges being separrated,` onebygone, .as each envelope reaches the foremost position, where its lower marginA is initsown plane, the flap yIl) is projected outward v from said plane, either by its own'resilience or by.. they action of an' auxiliary separator device,

such as 'the sucker Src. The free edge of the iiap` is thusy hooked over y the interference member [6a: which completes the opening of the flap, and then the envelope is drawn around and delivered to thechains B', B which advance it to the stops 53, 54, by which it is arrested'for" the patch-applying and the fas' tener-attaching operations, at the stations Ay and A. y

After these operations, the stops 53,l 54 are retracted downwardly, 'permitting the envelope to resume its advance under the action -ofbelts B", B which then may deliver it .to a suitable con- -tainer if the envelopes are to remain -open or to@ the mechanism- Ma', if they are toy be closed again, inwhich latter event the belts B3 receive the envelope, close v the stack SE. v

I have described what I believe to bevtlie best embodiments of' myA invention. I ydo not wish,

however, to be confined to the embodiments the flap I0, and deliver it to l shown, butwhatI desire to cover byLetters Pat.

` appended claims. Iclaim: A l. A machine'for applying an attachmenasuch ,las

as a fastener and/or a patch,.to an envelope with 4' facover'ap, in an operation toy be performed y while said cover-flapis open: said machinecom-y prlsing, 1n combination, means tosupply en` velopes with initially closed coverflaps; an attachment-applying station; means to open the cover-flap of each envelope; meansI to advance van envelope towardsaid station Iafter having opened its 'cover-flap; and means vto appl'yan attachment to said envelope at said stationwhile 2. A machine forapplying an attachment, such' as a fastener and/or'ajpatchto an envelopewith acover-nap, in an operation'to berv performed while said co-verffiapfis open; said machine comprising, in combination, means to supply envelopes with initially closed fcover-iiapsi anattoy 'tachment--applyingstation; means to open the cover-nap oi" each envelope; means toadvance an envelope toward said station after havingopened its cover-flap; means to apply anattachv ment to `said envelope at said station while lsaid is open, and means to close said coveras fasteners and/or patches, vto envelopes with chine comprising` in combination, an attach- 4cover-flaps, in a series of operations toy be perv `formed whilesaid cover-naps are open; sadgrnaf ment-applying station; Vmeans to support a supi ply'of envelopes with closed cover-naps; means to open each-cover-ap; means to advance` said envelopes seriatiin toward said attachment-applying station when their respective cover-flape` have been opened; means to apply an attachment y,to each of saide'nvelopes at said station while the cover-flap is open; means to close saidl cover- `rflaps respectively; and means to accumulate-,said

envelopes in stack formation. f

l1 -.A machine for applying an attachment, such Aas a fastener and/or a patch, to an envelope With a cover-flap, in an operation to" be performed While saidcover-flap is open said machine comprising incombination, means .to -Supply envelopes with initially closed cover-naps; anat- .tachment-applying station; means to open the cover-,flap of. each envelope; means to advance an envelope toward said station .after having opened its cover-nap; and meansto apply anattachment to said envelope at said station While4 said cover-flap is open, said nap-opening means `including a device adapted to be .engaged With saidflap inl transit. 'L

5.y A machine for applying an attachment, such as a fastener and/or a patch, to an envelope With a cover-nap, in an operation toy be .performed While said cover-nap is open; said machine comprising in combination, means to supply envelopes with initially closed cover-naps; an attachment- Y .applying station; means to open the cover-flap of each envelope; means to advance an envelope.

toward said station after having opened its coverap; andmeansto apply an attachment to said envelope atsaid station while said cover-lap is` lformed While said cover-,flap is open: said ma-y chine comprising, in combination, means to sup` ply envelopes with initially closed cover-naps; an attachment-applying station; means to open the cover-flap of eachenvelope; means to advancean envelope tov/'ard said station after hav- Ving opened its cover-flap; and means to apply an attachment to said envelope at said station While said cover-flap is open, said nap-opening means including a device vadapted to be engaged With the outer face ofl said flap, and to canse divergence ofthe flap from the body of' the envelope at the fold-line ofsaid cover-flap and body. p f i '7. A machine for applying an attachment, such as a fastener and/or a patch, to an envelope with a cover-flap, in an operation to be performed While said cover-flapl is open; said machine comprising in combination, means to supplyl envelopes with initially closed cover-naps; an attachment-applying station; means to open the cover-flap of each envelope; means to ad- Vancel an envelope toward said station after having opened its cover-nap; and means to apply an attachment to said envelope at said station While said cover-nap is open, said flapopening means including a' device adapted to be engaged with the outer face of said flap While in transit, and to cause divergence of the flap from the body of the envelope at the fold-line of said cover-flap and body. l

8. Av machine for applying attachments, `such as fasteners and/or patches, to envelo-pes in a series of operations to be performed while their cover-flaps are open; said machine comprising, in combination, an attachment-applying station; means to support a stack of envelopes assembled upon their closed bottom edges with their coverflap ends extending upwardly in partly closed position; means to separate the lolwermost closed edge of each envelope from the stack, said separating means including a sucker device; means to advance each envelope after such separation of its leading edge; means to open each coverlate said envelopes instack form.

nap when the envelope .is so advanced; meansy l 9. A machine for applying.attachments,fsuch `as fasteners and/or patches, to envelopes with.`

cover-flaps,v in a series of operations toloel performed While said cover-,flaps are open; said machinecomprising, in combination, an attach- -ment-applying station; means'to support a stack.;

ofv envelopes assembled upon their closed bottom edges With their cover-ap'ends extending lupwardly in partly closed position; means to separate'the lowermost closed edge of each envelopey f from. the stack, said separating meansyincluding a` sucker device; means to advance veach envelope after such separation of its leading-edge; means to open each cover-flap when the envelope isso advanced, said opening meansincluding `another f suckerv device operating exclusively upon; each lcover-flap, means to apply an attachment lto each y* envelope at said station; and means.to accumuy H 10. A machine for applying an velope with a cover-flap, inv an operation to `be performed-While said cover-flap is open: said machine comprising, in combination, an attach-y ment-applying. station; means to receive a supply` lof envelopeshaving initially closed cover-flaps; {means to advance said envelopes toward saidstation; means to open each cover-flapnintransit' to said. station; and means to applyan `attachment to each envelope at said station'while its cover-flap is open. l f y 11.'A machine for applying an attachment,

Vsuch as a fastener and/or a patch', to an envelope `with a kcover-flap, in an operationto be vperformed while said coverflapis` open: said mafiap is open, and means vto close said cover-naps' I i i respectively.

12. A machine `for applying attachments'such as fasteners and/or patches', toA envelopes vwith `cover-flaps, in a seriesofoperations to be.- performedwhile said cover-naps areL open;fsaid machine comprising, in combination, an attachmentapplying station; means to support a supply `of y envelopes with closedv kcover-flaps; means to advance said envelopes ls 'eriatim toward said attachment-applying station with their attachment,` such as a fastener and/or a patchto an enf-f.

respective cover-flaps initially closed; means to 'l vopen each-'cover-flapvvhile its envelope is inA tranf sit to said station; means to apply an'attachrnent to each of said envelopes at said station .While its cover-nap is open; Ameans toclose said cover- 13. A .machine for applying an attachment,v

such asa fastener and/or a patch, to an envelope withl a cover-flap, inan operation to` be `per vformed While said cover-flap is open: said machine comprising, in'combination, means `to an attachment-applying station, means to open @the cover-nap of each envelope; means -tol ad"- vance an envelope toward said station after having openedits cover-flap; and means to apply v'm supply envelopes with initially closedlcover-,aps`;

at said station; and I'neans` to accumulate said envelopes in stack form, said opening means including another sucker device operating exformed `While said cover-flap is open; said machine comprising in combination, means to supply envelopes with initially closedcover-flaps; an attachment-applying stationt-.means to open the cover-flap of each envelope; and means to apply an attachment to each envelope at said station While said cover-nap is open; said flap-opening .y means including a sucker'vdevice adapted to be vengaged with the outer face of said flap, and to y cause divergence of the iiap from the body of the envelope lat the fold-line of said cover-flap and body.

15.` A-maohine for applying attachments, such as fasteners and/or patches, to envelopes with cover-flaps, in a series of operations to be formed While Asaid cover-flaps are openj said'` machine comprising in combination; an attachment-f applying station; means to support a` stack of. envelopes assembled upon their closed bottom edgeswith their cover-'ilap ends extending upwardly; and,I means to separate the lowermost closed edge of eachenvelope from thestackgsaid4 separating means including a sucker' device;y means to 'advance each envelope upon such separation of its leading edge; means r4to open each cover-flap when ,the envelope isso advanced;

means to apply an attachment to each ,envelope` at said station; and means to accumulate said envelopes in stack vforni.

16. A machine for applying attachments, such as fasteners and/or patches, to envelopes with cover-flaps, in a series of operations to be formed while said cover-flaps are open; said machine comprising,rin combination, n an attachmentapplying station; means to support a stack oi envelopes lassembled upon their closed bottom, edges with their cover-flap ends extending upwardly; .and means to separate the lowermcst closed edge-of each envelope from the stack,

said separating means including a sucker device,

` means to advance each envelope upon such sepalration of itsl leading edge; lmeans to open each cover-nap. when the envelope -i's so advanced; means v to apply anattachment to each envelope leading edge of said clusively upon each coverflap While the envelope is in transit. a

17. In a machine for operating upon envelopes,

in combination, means for supporting a stack of envelopes with their closure flaps folded, means for removing vthe blanks from the rstack one by one including a rotary memberarranged to grip the closed end of each blank, a suction `v device arranged to advance the closed end of each blank from its normal (position in the stack to said rotary gripping member, and means including a thin, substantially vflat plate kadapted to engage the inner face of the flap for unfolding` the closure ilap'of each blank as an incident of its removal from the stack. f

18.v A machine for' applying an attachment to anr envelope with a cover-flap, in an operation to beperformed yWhile said cover-flap is open;

y `said machine comprising, in combination, an attachment-a'pplying station; means to receive a supply of envelopes having initially closed coverflaps; means to advance said envelopestoward said station; means to openeach cover-flap While in transit to said station; means to apply, an y attachment to each envelope at rsaid rstation vwhile its cover-flap is open; means to advance hthe closed end f each envelope against a stop;

means to advance each envelope in `a predeterminedy path and means located adjacentsaid path for closing the ilap of .each envelope.

19. A machine as set forth in claim 18in which said stop comprises a plurality of spaced apart guide areas and the means to advance each envelope comprises a flexible supporting vmember arranged substantially parallel to said stop.

20. In a machine for operatingupon envelopes,. in combination, means for supporting a stack ofv envelopes with their closure flaps folded, means for removing the blanks from the stack one'by one including a rotary member arranged. to grip the closed end of 4each blank, ay suction device arranged to advance the closed end of each blank from its normal position in the stack to said rotary gripping member, an oscillatory sucker for unfoldingthe flap of each envelope as an incident of its removal from the stack and means for operating the sucker in'timed `relation with the means for removing the envelopes.

ABRAHAM NOVICK. 

